Written by new-contact on Jun 24, 2015. Posted in On Location

Period crime drama Houdini & Doyle to film in Manchester and Toronto

New ITV period crime series Houdini & Doyle will film on location in Manchester in the UK, and in Toronto. Set at the turn of the 20th century, the drama will follow Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and legendary magician Harry Houdini as a pair of crime solvers.

The new series will star British comedy veteran Stephen Mangan as Doyle, while Michael Weston will play Houdini.

“I've long been intrigued by both Houdini & Doyle; men who were ahead of their time, each fascinating in their own right,” said David Shore, the show’s executive producer.

“But the idea that these two, seemingly so different, could have been friends is almost too perfect. In Michael and Stephen, we have found two incredible actors that embody the intelligence, humour and mystique of these men, who even when viewed through the lens of history, are larger than life.”

Added ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November: “We are delighted to be commissioning Houdini & Doyle, a series inspired by two of the greatest characters in the 20th century. We are looking forward to working with such a brilliant team to bring this unlikely, real-life friendship to our ITV Encore audience.”

High-end TV production in the UK is now facilitated by a television tax credit, which has had a huge impact on the UK’s screen sector. Several UK TV broadcasters, including ITV, have bases at MediaCityUK in Salford outside Manchester.

International productions filming in Toronto can get a tax credit of 21.5%, a figure that was recently reduced from 25% in response to the falling Canadian dollar. Houdini & Doyle is likely to get a more competitive filming incentive as a UK/Canada Treaty co-production.